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Leyland pining over ASG roster decisions

Leyland pining over ASG roster decisions

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Leyland disputes hit-by-pitch 2:01

6/20/13: Tigers manager Jim Leyland comes out to argue after Shane Victorino is awarded first base following a hit-by-pitch

By Jason Beck
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MLB.com |

TORONTO -- The Canada Day matinee in Toronto made for a quick turnaround for the Tigers on their way from Tampa Bay. For manager Jim Leyland's purposes, it gave him all of Monday night to pore over potential All-Star roster decisions.

As the days dwindle until All-Star rosters are announced on Saturday, Leyland finds himself wearing two hats, trying to manage the Tigers through their slump that has dropped them from first place in the American League Central, while also filling his duties as AL All-Star manager, which he earned when the Tigers won the AL pennant last October.

The latter, Leyland emphasized, does not conflict with the former.

"I'll have time to work on that," Leyland said before his team's 8-3 loss to the Blue Jays.

Much of what he'll do in the next couple days is preparation for scenarios. He'll have just a couple hours, he said, from the time he knows who was voted in by fans and players and the time rosters must be finalized. Since every team must be represented, who gets voted in could impact several decisions down the rest of the roster.

With All-Star rosters being announced Saturday night on FOX, rather than the traditional Sunday announcement, Leyland also has less time to do it.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.